INTERIOR Secretary Ismael Sueno on Friday assured the public that all security preparations are already in place to ensure that the traditional Traslacion or procession in celebration of the feast day of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9 will be “safe, peaceful, and orderly” in the wake of intelligence reports that terrorist groups will sow chaos during the celebration.
“We will not let anyone disrupt the sanctity of the celebration. Besides, this annual festivity is being looked forward to not only by the devotees of the Poong Nazareno, but also of the international community who are awed by the degree of devotion Filipinos pour for the Black Nazarene,” he said.
He likewise appealed to the devotees not to bring children, sickly and elderly relatives to the Traslacion for health and safety reasons, noting that by tradition, the number of Black Nazarene devotees grows annually.